Endurance is a genuine test of horsemanship which began as a necessity rather than a sport. Horseback riding was the main form of transportation for centuries and reliable horses that could travel long distances while remaining healthy and fit were much sought after. Since necessity was replaced by many other means of transportation, has thrived as a sport.

Endurance is a long -distance competition against the clock where the speed and endurance of a horse is put to the test.  Riders are challenged with effective use of pace and thorough knowledge of their horses and their ability to perform cross-country. Although the riders are timed, the emphasis is on finishing in good condition rather than coming first. Endurance is a genuine test of horsemanship. 

If you are a horse lover and a nature lover and like riding for hours at a time endurance riding is definitely the sport for you.  Endurance rides are normally held on large farms or nature reserves.  You will have to do a great deal of camping, getting dirty and long hours of caring for your horse before, on the ride and after the ride.

Endurance can be mentally challenging,  a positive attitude can help a great deal when things go wrong or getting tough on the day of the ride.  You need to persist and have the mindset not to give up when you get tired or things are getting tough.    The Endurance horse needs to be an athlete with a good temperament and the Arabian or Arabian cross horses are proven best for endurance riding.  

There are various endurance rides varying from  30km, 60km, 80km, 120km to 160km.  If you are a child or novice junior (less than 240kms of endurance competitions) you need to ride with an experienced senior rider.

In SANEF Schools ENDURANCE you can earn points for your school on any  3 rides on the ERASA calender from January to September.  Different levels are available, Level 0 – 30kms, Level 1 – 60kms, Level 2 – 80kms, Level 3 – 120kms. To qualify for the National Championship you need to do 3 qualifying rides of 80km each.  A score is calculated taking your average speed, adding the handicap of the ride and deducting the average speed according to the working pulse / slip time scale as on the school endurance rules. 

The most important thing of any competition is that your main focus should be to put your horse first and never compromise your horse's safety or health for your own competitiveness. And then have patience.  Quoting a legend in Endurance Riding - Chris Theil:  "If the love is there, the winning will come".

The discipline ENDURANCE is a FEI (Federation Equestré Internationale) discipline managed by ERASA (Endurance Ride Association of South Africa) and assisted by SANEF (South African National Equestrian Federation).  Both ERASA and SANEF are members of the SAEC (South African Equestrian Council).